A Good Timin’ Man

Lately I have been introducing my son to some of the greats of classic Southern fried rock, country, and the like. He’s been jammin with me to some of the best of Skynyrd, Allman Brothers, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson. I don’t play all of their stuff for him yet, mind you. Just select songs. He’s particularly fond of Boy Named Sue, Whipping Post, Gimme Three Steps, and On The Road Again. But I digress.

The point is that I’ve been listening to a couple of Willie’s greatest hits albums in my truck lately, and this song has been one of the tunes lodged in my brain. So, after being thunderstruck with conviction and inspiration this weekend by the message from Dennis Rainey at the Stepping Up men’s conference at The Chapel, this song seemed to give voice to an epidemic among the married men of America today. And I ain’t pointin fingers, here, fellas – I’m talkin about me, too.

I’ll keep this brief. I want you to read the lyrics below to the song above, which has been a classic by Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and, well, pretty much all The Highwaymen for decades. Guys, ask your self if this song could in any way capture the cry, or weary resignation, of your wife’s heart. Okay, so maybe you aren’t out chasing the “night life” and “bright lights” of the bars and such. I’m not, either. But am I chasing something else that is keeping me from being available to hold my wife’s hand, look into her eyes, listen to her thoughts, and wrap my heart around hers?

A long time forgottenAre dreams that just fell by the wayAnd the good life he promisedIs not what she’s living to day

But she never complainsOf the bad times or the bad things he’s doneShe just talks about the good times they’ve hadAnd all the good times to come

She’s a good hearted womanIn love with a good timin’ manAnd she loves him in spite of his waysThat she don’t understand

And through teardrops and laughterThey’ll pass though this world hand in handNow this good hearted womanIn love with her good timin’ man

Well, now he likes the night lifeThe bright lights and good timin’ friendsAnd when the party’s all overShe’ll welcome him back home again

Though she don’t understand himBut she does the best that she canNow this good hearted womanIn love with her good timin’ man

She’s a good hearted womanIn love with a good timin’ manAnd she loves him in spite of his waysThat she don’t understand

And through teardrops and laughterThey’ll pass though this world hand in handNow this good hearted womanIn love with her good timin’ man

She’s a good hearted womanIn love with a good timin’ man

How about it, fellas? TV? Hunting? Facebooking? Drinking? Hobbies? Video Games? Porn? Partying? Movies? Fishing? Golfing? Exercising? I won’t keep going, but I think you and I would both do well to take the time to take our own inventories and ask our selves, “Is my good hearted woman in love with a good timin’ man (adolescent)?” Because I fear this is becoming the norm. And it isn’t good enough. Not nearly good enough. Our wives and our children need and expect a man to take them by the hand and lead them. Is that what they’re getting? We need to aim so much higher than paying our bills and entertaining our selves. So much higher. Good grief! (Remember, I am talking to me as much as I am to you, here.)

Need help with your aim? I recommend beginning by reaching out to God. Ask an older man you respect to mentor you. Read Dennis Rainey’s book, “Stepping Up.” Or John Eldredge’s “Wild at Heart” or “Fathered by God.” Find out if there is a Men’s Fraternity meeting in your area and get registered for their next round. Get involved in your church’s men’s ministry. If your church doesn’t have one, talk to your pastor and another man or two about how you can start one. If you don’t have a church home, find one. If you don’t know the LORD, contact a local church or contact me. It would be my honor and pleasure to share with you the new life that has so freely been given to me.

Don’t make her settle for a “good timin’ man (adolescent).” Guys, we need to grow up. Be a high aiming man. Step Up!!!

Personally, I’m starting (over) with praying daily with my wife. Where do you need to start?